OKOTO

KOKUA FESTIVAL

5.6.07
The first few days of our trip took place in Waikiki ... the city isn’t our typical travel destination, but when it meant meeting up with some awesome people, and listening to great tunes at the Kokua Festival, we were down. We stayed at the Mariott along with the band and crew, so everyday it was meeting someone new. We spent the first 2 days snorkeling and hiking but the weekend started on Friday afternoon when we walked over to the Waikiki Shell. We met up with Jack and spread the OKOTO love a little when Joe gave him the board he shaped.
We watched the sound check which went on into the night and then headed out for a few drinks. Saturday we did our own thing, Joe caught some waves while I caught some sun. The festival doors opened at 2:30, but we got there early to get a first peek at the Kokua Village. The vendors were everything green ranging from foods, clothing, promo items and information. The show opened with the Girlas, and Eddie Cruz Jr. then it was Matt Costa, Eddie Vedder and Jack Johnson. Watching Jack and Eddie together was stellar – seeing them out of their professional elements, merging their styles. Eddie rocked the shell, and as always, the entire crowd sang along with Jack.
Sunday played out much like Saturday, though we headed to the show a little later in the day. The finale of the show was a perfect end to the festival, with everyone on stage for pictures and a final performance. The after party was a good time - very intimate. We were able to chat with people we had met earlier, recap the weekend and say our goodbyes.

Early Monday morning we drove up to the north shore. Two seconds into Haleiwa town, we knew we didn’t want to leave. Three days wouldn’t be enough time, so I spent the rest of the afternoon canceling and rearranging the rest of our plans. It would have been great to see more of the islands, but the north shore was our kind of living: in a bungalow, on the water … biking to pick up groceries at Foodland.
With the swell that came in on Monday, we went straight to Pipeline to check it out. Watching it go off at 20’ faces was a great way to be introduced, so we hung for a few hours. The rest of the week was spent meeting up with friends, getting some surf in and just checking everything out. If you want to see more pictures from our trip, check out our myspace.

OKOTO

THE HAPPENING - NYC

4.13.07
The night started at the Milk Gallery in Chelsea where we hung for a few hours to the sights of artists like Joe Curren, Alex Kopps, Koji Toyoda and Julie Goldstein (just to name a few), and the sounds of Ray Barbee & the Mattson 2 and Neil Halsted. Free Pabst Beer and Barefoot wine was passed around while the crowd got bigger and chatter echoed through the gallery. It was pretty sweet to be bumping elbows with some great local artists, and chatting with the people responsible for nourishing this industry.
We all made our way south down 10th and stopped at Pop Burger to grab something to eat. We obviously weren't the only ones hungry, since many familiar faces also stopped for some grub on the way to Hiro. The elaborate ballroom filled to the brim with people there to see Emily Haines, Matt Costa and Money Mark perform. Between sets, trailers were shown for Woodshed #4, 1st & Hope, Thread, and Sliding Liberia. Nothing like chillen out, drinking Japenese beer and watching a Malloy film. All in all, a great night.

OKOTO

GOODBYE '06

12.30.06
So it’s the end of the year and so much more has happened then we ever would have imagined. just in the past six months, we have spread our OKOTO love from Jersey to Miami to LA and Oahu, and everywhere in between.
we are stoked to be bringing in the new year with a few new threads on our site ... beanies, hoodies for guys & girls, and fitted tees for the ladies. we have been working hard on our spring line and cant wait to introduce our new designs.
we want all of you to have a safe, happy and healthy new year. see you in 2007 ... the OKOTO team

OKOTO

FINALLY!

10.18.06
FINALLY! after a lot of hard work and patience, the OKOTO STORE IS HERE!!! go check it out ... see what you like. we have discounted all our products for our Grand Opening!
Don’t forget to check out our bandanas for your first trip to the mountain, and feel free to email us your comments. now you know where to find it ... spread the word.
the OKOTO team

OKOTO

ERNESTO

9.4.06
THANK YOU ERNESTO!!! ... finally, after a long awaited, flat summer, Ernesto hooked the Jersey shore up. we hope all of you got out there and made the best of this storm.
this weeks plans include slapping the northeast with a load of stickers. if you want to get your hands on some, email us and we will let you know how. the ecommerce site is in final development, and should be up & running asap. OUR FIRST NEWSLETTER will be sent out THIS WEEK, along with a PDF of all our new designs, so you can be the first to see what’s coming. so GET ON IT and join on our homepage ... & maybe even WIN A FREE tee.
SEPTEMBER 9th ... OKOTO launch / TiKi PARTY, sponsored by K.HOD & ReyMan.
squeeze it easy, the OKOTO TEAM find it. live it.

OKOTO

CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

7.5.06
So it was a great holiday weekend for us ... lots of promoting, celebrating and brainstorming. we’ve been working hard, spreading the word, and our wings. we’ve got new designs on the way, and our online shop should be up and running soon.
if you haven’t yet, JOIN THE NEWSLETTER! ... it’ll help keep ya updated on what’s happening over here with OKOTO, along with a ton of interesting info on sports, events, fundraisers, etc.
*CONGRATS* to our myspace contest winners: jon, kainalu & makani. you guys rock :) hope you like your free gear.
we hope you all had a great holiday ... now back to work ...
with love,
amy & the rest of the OKOTO team
find it. live it.

OKOTO